A Power Struggle Emerges in Venezuela

Venezuela is bracing itself for an Oct. 23 public protest staged by pro-government patronage networks known locally as colectivos. An unspecified number of colectivos are expected to demonstrate against the Oct. 7 killing of Jose Odreman, the leader of the "March 5" colectivo, by the Criminal Investigative Police (known by its Spanish acronym, CICPC).

Odreman was killed along with four other colectivo members following a raid on the colectivo headquarters in the Quinta Crespo area of Caracas. Three policemen were taken hostage in the ensuing eight-hour standoff. The events suggest possible fractures within the official and unofficial security forces that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will have to rely on to secure the stability of his government in the coming months and years.